Consultation sets out options to reduce trauma for bereaved
families.
Views are being sought on options to help reduce trauma for
bereaved families of child homicide victims caused by the
publicity arising from such cases.
Justice Secretary has published the
consultation after hearing from bereaved families about the
impact of ongoing news and social media coverage about their
loved ones.
The consultation seeks views on a range of potential options,
including whether the law should be changed to grant anonymity to
child homicide victims. This would prevent the deceased children
– and therefore their families – from being publicly identified.
Responses to the consultation, along with engagement with
families, victims' organisations, media representatives and
justice partners, will inform next steps.
The Justice Secretary said:
“It is hard to imagine a more profound agony than that of losing
a child. When that child is a victim of homicide, the heartbreak
can be compounded by associated public and media attention. While
such cases are rare, I have heard first-hand from families about
just how devastating that sustained scrutiny can be.
“This consultation seeks views on how we can protect bereaved
families from this additional trauma, while respecting the
important principles of open justice and freedom of expression.
“We know from the views gathered so far, and from research into
anonymity in other jurisdictions, that these are highly complex
issues. This consultation provides an opportunity for a wide
range of views on this sensitive and emotive matter.”
Background
The consultation on media
reporting of child homicide victims will run for 12 weeks
until 1 October 2024.
The Scottish Government has already undertaken work to explore
this issue. This includes engagement with bereaved families;
compiling an evidence paper on
international approaches to victim anonymity; and hosting a
roundtable involving
victims organisations, media representatives and others.
